World Environment Day

World Environment Day is a reminder for all Australians of the importance of practical environmental steps we can all take to protect our environment and our native species.

The Morrison Government is reaffirming its commitment to working with communities, farmers, land managers and traditional owners to protect native wildlife and habitats, reduce the pressure on our waterways and oceans from plastic waste, and protect the ecosystems of natural treasures like the Great Barrier Reef.

Senator for Victoria David Van said Federal Government funding for environmental organisations across South East Melbourne underlined the Government’s focus on working with local communities to deliver genuine outcomes that enhanced local areas.

“We are working with people who want to help their local natural environments,” Senator Van said.

“The Morrison Government is funding local councils and community organisations across South East Melbourne to deliver practical environmental outcomes such as threatened species recovery programs for the Orange Bellied Parrot, wildlife rescue projects, habitat restoration for protected species like the platypus and swift parrot, bush regeneration works, invasive species control, water stewardship programs, foreshore erosion control, environmental research and monitoring programs and community education activities,” Senator Van said.

The Morrison Government is not only supporting local conservation and research and education programs, but is investing more than $200 million in urgent wildlife and habitat recovery projects in the wake of Australia’s devastating bushfires. This funding is being guided by eminent ecologists and scientists from the Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel, and the Government is closely monitoring the impacts of the bushfires on populations of iconic Australian species such as the koala.

Through the National Environmental Science Program, we are investing $290 million in evidence-based on the ground strategies that combine the latest environmental science with traditional knowledge and practical land care management.

Australia’s world leading reef management is challenging new scientific barriers through a $150 million reef restoration and adaptation initiative, part of a $1.9 billion Commonwealth investment in supporting the Great Barrier Reef, by working with the communities who depend on it for their livelihoods.

For the first time a Federal Government is making waste and recycling a national priority, declaring an end to the export of waste plastics, glass, paper and tyres; holding the nation’s first plastics summit and bringing industry along with us to identify solutions and mobilise further action.

As Australians look to recycle their waste each week, the Morrison government is ensuring they can have faith in that recycling process, and the positive impact it can have on our environment.